Studying Prayer
This volume in the Challenging Knowledge in RE series brings a multidisciplinary approach to the RE classroom to study prayer. Methods from the disciplines of religious studies, sociology, theology and psychology consider how prayer features in people’s lives. The book and downloadable sheets provide a suite of resources on prayer from which you can select two or three to create a half-term unit of work.
The Ofsted RE Research Review 2021 suggests RE should equip students with methods for testing the knowledge presented in the classroom. This book supports this by offering different evidence and methods with:
- source materials and teachings from religious traditions
- quantitative and qualitative data on the extent, effect and content of prayer
- specific analytic models that can be applied to the purpose and content of prayer more broadly.
Select a topic to explore resources
- Diving in: studying prayer
- Investigator file: religious studies
- Investigator file: sociology
- Prayer in three religions: comparative analysis (RS)
- Data on prayer: a sociological approach
- How do the prayers of St Paul connect to Christian practice today?
- Using psychology to study prayer: inward, outward, upward connections
- What do people request prayer for? A sociology case study
- ‘Praying with their legs’: what do faith-based charities contribute to modern Britain? A sociological approach
External links
- ExternalDoes prayer work? Psychological evidence: James Anderson and Paige Nunnelley reviewed 40 academic studies
- ExternalConference paper: ‘”We don’t want your thoughts and prayers” – Nonreligious perceptions of petitionary prayer’ Carissa Sharp, Carola Leicht and Fern Elsdon-Baker (2019)
- ExternalBlog on the Nonreligion and Secularity Network: ‘The “Take a Knee” NFL Movement and the Gesture of Kneeling: From Religious Reverence to Secular Protest’ by Mathilde Vanasse-Pelletier
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
- Internal
Studying good and evil: knowledge and methods CKRE6 (1.1)A resource on studying good and evil in RE, exploring philosophical and theological approaches to ethical questions and moral dilemmas in religious education.
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
- Internal
Investigator files: Sociology (CKRE vol 5 pp. 10-11)Understanding the social dimensions of religion, including community building, identity, and social change.
eResources
- InternalTeenage views on prayerInsights into teenage views on prayer.
- InternalTeenage views on prayer, grid versionGrid format of teenage views on prayer.
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
- InternalWhat is prayer for Christians?Overview of prayer in Christianity.
- InternalWhat is prayer for Hindus?Exploration of prayer practices in Hinduism.
- Internal5_3 Prayer for Muslims CKRE5 SWhat is prayer for Muslims?
External links
Theos/YouGov 2021 Report: ‘Religious trends in a time of international crisis’
- ExternalBlog commentary
- ExternalData tables (see p. 311)
Theos Spirituality survey 2013: ‘The Spirit of Things Unseen’
- ExternalReport
External Links
eResources
- InternalRE research project on prayerResearch project on prayer, exploring its significance in various faith traditions.
- Internal6_5 How likely to pray when CKRE5 SHow likely are you to pray when…?
- InternalSpeculating on how much people prayExploring factors influencing how much people pray across different faiths.
- InternalHow often do people pray? Additional dataData on how often people pray, exploring practices in various religious communities.
- InternalWhich religions pray the most and least frequently?Data on prayer frequency across religions, exploring significance in different faiths.
- InternalDoes prayer work?Exploration of whether prayer is effective, examining research and personal perspectives.
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
- InternalHow often do people pray?Insights into how often people pray.
eResources
- InternalCommentary on Paul’s prayersCommentary on Paul's prayers, enhancing understanding of their theological implications.
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
- InternalThe prayers of St Paul: what do they tell Christians…?Analysis of St. Paul's prayers, exploring their significance in Christian beliefs.
- InternalCommentary on Ephesians 3:14-21Commentary on Ephesians 3:14-21, exploring themes of faith and community in Christianity.
External links
- ExternalKevin L. Ladd and Bernard Spilka (2006), ‘Inward, Outward, Upward Prayer: Scale Reliability and Validation’, Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion
- ExternalKevin L. Ladd (2017), ‘Toward A Tri-partite Psychological Model of Prayer’, Revista Pistis Praxis 9 (1): 205.
- ExternalAryeh Lazar (2017), ‘A Reexamination of the Structure of the Inward Outward Upward Prayer Scale’, The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 27:3.
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
- Internal
Using psychology to study prayer (CKRE vol 5 p. 26)Explore the psychological aspects of prayer and how it influences believers' mental and spiritual experiences. - InternalPsychologists investigate prayerExamination of how psychologists study prayer and its effects on individuals.
External links
eResources
- InternalWhy do people pray?Exploring reasons for prayer across faiths, fostering understanding of its significance in life.
- InternalWhat do people pray about?Exploring common themes in prayer, fostering understanding of motivations and concerns in spirituality.
- InternalHow does prayer make people feel?Exploring emotional responses to prayer, fostering understanding of its psychological benefits.
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
- Internal
What do people request prayer for? (CKRE vol 5 p. 28)Discover the significance of sacred Jewish objects, exploring how they represent belief and practice in Jewish religious life. - InternalFramework for analysing intercessory prayerFramework for analysing intercessory prayer, exploring its significance and implications.
External Links
- ExternalNews report about charitable giving Third Sector (26 July 2013)
- ExternalThe life of Frederick Douglass (1818-1895), Methodist Christian abolitionist and feminist who ‘prayed with his feet’
- ExternalSecularist response to reports that religious people are more generous
- ExternalUSA ‘Philanthropy Roundtable’ summing up how American Christians practice charity
- ExternalCharities Aid Foundation report on charitable giving in 2014
- ExternalMidland Langar Sewa Society
- ExternalEmmaus (charity which helps homeless people)
- ExternalBorderlands (welcoming asylum seekers and refugees in Bristol)
- ExternalSarah Johnsen ‘Case Study 6: The role of faith-based organizations in service provision for homeless people’ in Linda Woodhead and Rebecca Catto (eds) Religion and Change in Modern Britain, Routledge, London 2012)
- ExternalSarah Johnsen Where's the ‘faith’ in ‘faith-based’ organisations? The evolution and practice of faithbased homelessness services in the UK’, Journal of Social Policy (2014)
FARE (Family Action in Rogerfield and Easterhouse):
- ExternalFARE website
- ExternalObituary for founder of FARE, Bob Holman
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
- InternalIn what ways do Sikhs put their spirituality into practice?Sikh Spirituality in Practice Case Study explores real-life applications of Sikh teachings, enhancing understanding of belief and action.
- InternalMaking sense of charity work done in the name of religionInterpretation Sheet on charity work in religion helps students understand the significance of charitable actions within faith traditions, fostering critical thinking and social responsibility.
- Internal
Teaching justice using local examples in RE: article (CKRE vol 5)An article on teaching justice in RE using local examples, encourages aging students to reflect on real-world issues and the role of faith in shaping views on justice. - InternalPray with your feet_RET39_2 SPray with your feet’: interview with Sir Trevor Pears
Select a topic to explore resources
Diving in: studying prayerInvestigator file: religious studiesInvestigator file: sociologyPrayer in three religions: comparative analysis (RS)Data on prayer: a sociological approachHow do the prayers of St Paul connect to Christian practice today?Using psychology to study prayer: inward, outward, upward connectionsWhat do people request prayer for? A sociology case study ‘Praying with their legs’: what do faith-based charities contribute to modern Britain? A sociological approach
External links
- ExternalDoes prayer work? Psychological evidence: James Anderson and Paige Nunnelley reviewed 40 academic studies
- ExternalConference paper: ‘”We don’t want your thoughts and prayers” – Nonreligious perceptions of petitionary prayer’ Carissa Sharp, Carola Leicht and Fern Elsdon-Baker (2019)
- ExternalBlog on the Nonreligion and Secularity Network: ‘The “Take a Knee” NFL Movement and the Gesture of Kneeling: From Religious Reverence to Secular Protest’ by Mathilde Vanasse-Pelletier
Member Only Content
- Internal Studying good and evil: knowledge and methods CKRE6 (1.1)A resource on studying good and evil in RE, exploring philosophical and theological approaches to ethical questions and moral dilemmas in religious education.
Member Only Content
- Internal Investigator files: Sociology (CKRE vol 5 pp. 10-11)Understanding the social dimensions of religion, including community building, identity, and social change.
eResources
- InternalTeenage views on prayerInsights into teenage views on prayer.
- InternalTeenage views on prayer, grid versionGrid format of teenage views on prayer.
Member Only Content
- InternalWhat is prayer for Christians?Overview of prayer in Christianity.
- InternalWhat is prayer for Hindus?Exploration of prayer practices in Hinduism.
- Internal5_3 Prayer for Muslims CKRE5 SWhat is prayer for Muslims?
External links
Theos/YouGov 2021 Report: ‘Religious trends in a time of international crisis’
- ExternalBlog commentary
- ExternalData tables (see p. 311)
Theos Spirituality survey 2013: ‘The Spirit of Things Unseen’
- ExternalReport
External Links
eResources
- InternalRE research project on prayerResearch project on prayer, exploring its significance in various faith traditions.
- Internal6_5 How likely to pray when CKRE5 SHow likely are you to pray when…?
- InternalSpeculating on how much people prayExploring factors influencing how much people pray across different faiths.
- InternalHow often do people pray? Additional dataData on how often people pray, exploring practices in various religious communities.
- InternalWhich religions pray the most and least frequently?Data on prayer frequency across religions, exploring significance in different faiths.
- InternalDoes prayer work?Exploration of whether prayer is effective, examining research and personal perspectives.
Member Only Content
- InternalHow often do people pray?Insights into how often people pray.
eResources
- InternalCommentary on Paul’s prayersCommentary on Paul's prayers, enhancing understanding of their theological implications.
Member Only Content
- InternalThe prayers of St Paul: what do they tell Christians…?Analysis of St. Paul's prayers, exploring their significance in Christian beliefs.
- InternalCommentary on Ephesians 3:14-21Commentary on Ephesians 3:14-21, exploring themes of faith and community in Christianity.
External links
- ExternalKevin L. Ladd and Bernard Spilka (2006), ‘Inward, Outward, Upward Prayer: Scale Reliability and Validation’, Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion
- ExternalKevin L. Ladd (2017), ‘Toward A Tri-partite Psychological Model of Prayer’, Revista Pistis Praxis 9 (1): 205.
- ExternalAryeh Lazar (2017), ‘A Reexamination of the Structure of the Inward Outward Upward Prayer Scale’, The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 27:3.
Member Only Content
- Internal Using psychology to study prayer (CKRE vol 5 p. 26)Explore the psychological aspects of prayer and how it influences believers' mental and spiritual experiences.
- InternalPsychologists investigate prayerExamination of how psychologists study prayer and its effects on individuals.
External links
eResources
- InternalWhy do people pray?Exploring reasons for prayer across faiths, fostering understanding of its significance in life.
- InternalWhat do people pray about?Exploring common themes in prayer, fostering understanding of motivations and concerns in spirituality.
- InternalHow does prayer make people feel?Exploring emotional responses to prayer, fostering understanding of its psychological benefits.
Member Only Content
- Internal What do people request prayer for? (CKRE vol 5 p. 28)Discover the significance of sacred Jewish objects, exploring how they represent belief and practice in Jewish religious life.
- InternalFramework for analysing intercessory prayerFramework for analysing intercessory prayer, exploring its significance and implications.
External Links
- ExternalNews report about charitable giving Third Sector (26 July 2013)
- ExternalThe life of Frederick Douglass (1818-1895), Methodist Christian abolitionist and feminist who ‘prayed with his feet’
- ExternalSecularist response to reports that religious people are more generous
- ExternalUSA ‘Philanthropy Roundtable’ summing up how American Christians practice charity
- ExternalCharities Aid Foundation report on charitable giving in 2014
- ExternalMidland Langar Sewa Society
- ExternalEmmaus (charity which helps homeless people)
- ExternalBorderlands (welcoming asylum seekers and refugees in Bristol)
- ExternalSarah Johnsen ‘Case Study 6: The role of faith-based organizations in service provision for homeless people’ in Linda Woodhead and Rebecca Catto (eds) Religion and Change in Modern Britain, Routledge, London 2012)
- ExternalSarah Johnsen Where's the ‘faith’ in ‘faith-based’ organisations? The evolution and practice of faithbased homelessness services in the UK’, Journal of Social Policy (2014)
FARE (Family Action in Rogerfield and Easterhouse):
- ExternalFARE website
- ExternalObituary for founder of FARE, Bob Holman
Member Only Content
- InternalIn what ways do Sikhs put their spirituality into practice?Sikh Spirituality in Practice Case Study explores real-life applications of Sikh teachings, enhancing understanding of belief and action.
- InternalMaking sense of charity work done in the name of religionInterpretation Sheet on charity work in religion helps students understand the significance of charitable actions within faith traditions, fostering critical thinking and social responsibility.
- Internal Teaching justice using local examples in RE: article (CKRE vol 5)An article on teaching justice in RE using local examples, encourages aging students to reflect on real-world issues and the role of faith in shaping views on justice.
- InternalPray with your feet_RET39_2 SPray with your feet’: interview with Sir Trevor Pears
